In Poland, employees will start receiving more from ZUS for sick leave

The rules for calculating sick leave payments are changing in Poland. The Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) has revised the method of calculating benefits, allowing employees to receive higher payments during illness. InPoland reports this here.

Sick leave payments in Poland will be calculated differently

Previously, if an employee visited a doctor after a few hours of work and received a sick leave the same day, the first day of illness was not considered in the calculation of benefits.

Now ZUS has changed its approach to calculations. From now on, the first day of sick leave will be included in the payment period regardless of whether the employee worked part of the day or completed a full shift.

This means that employees will be able to receive a larger amount of assistance from the first day of illness.

New ZUS rules for sick leaves

The total amount of sick pay in Poland is 80% of the salary. In some cases, benefits may amount to 100%.

Full compensation is provided, in particular, in the following situations:

• illness during pregnancy;

• an accident on the way to or from work;

• donation of cells, tissues, or organs.

ZUS also clarified the rules regarding behavior during sick leave. From April 2026, activities that may be considered incompatible with treatment include trips, vacations, pilgrimages, participation in mass events, or intensive sports activities.

At the same time, ordinary household chores, such as shopping or visiting a pharmacy, will not be grounds for losing payments.

The term for receiving assistance is limited:

• up to 182 days — standard period;

• up to 270 days — for pregnant women or those suffering from tuberculosis.

Let us remind you that from April 1, 2026, sick leaves in Ukraine will only be electronic.